Finding Forever Homes for Shelter Dogs with Kara Venus
I have two dogs in my house and they’re both rescues. They are the first dogs I’ve ever had and they are absolutely wonderful. They make me smile every single day and are incredibly loving and sweet, and I’m so happy they’re a part of the family.
But there are also countless dogs and other animals who remain in shelters and are in need of forever homes. And Kara Venus, author of Harper and Her Dogs, has advocated for these animals, working with rescue dogs for more than a decade.
Adoption should be a solution to animal homelessness and a way for people to connect with future pets that need forever homes. Kara would be happy to draft an article about how to get involved with local shelters, even if adoption is not an option. A few highlights:
Kara spoke with Good People, Cool Things about working with rescues, her book, and how people can get involved with local shelters.
How did you first get into working with rescue dogs?
We visited several shelters to adopt our first dog and saw firsthand the needed work! I was very inspired by the shelter we adopted her from and decided to get involved with other local rescues.
What's a common misconception about rescues?
That you can't find a certain breed or a puppy. Over 30% of dogs in shelters are purebred of some kind and many breed-specific rescues.
What do you hope readers get out of Harper and Her Dogs?
I hope they feel good about bringing home a new baby to their pets! Everyone wants to make sure their first babies get along with their human babies, there are so many things you can do to prepare.
How can people get involved with their local shelters?
There are so many ways to get involved. You can walk dogs, clean, read books, play music, help with laundry, handle admin work, help with social media or just spread the word! There are always monetary donations as well, but there are plenty of ways to get involved in person or from home.
What should someone know or prepare for before adopting a dog?
Know that it takes dogs a few months to decompress so while you can prepare, make sure you give them time to fully acclimate to their new environment. It's also a good idea to invest in training to ensure a good fit.
What's next for you?
We hope to continue fostering dogs and continue volunteering with local shelters and rescues!